Spaceman Release Date, Cast, Plot, First Look And More Details

Netflix funds, produces, and distributes a wide variety of projects, in order to give its millions of subscribers what they want. And what Netflix viewers want, apparently, are sci-fi projects set in space, and movies of any kind that star Adam Sandler. In-house hits like "Stowaway," "Away," and "Lost in Space" are examples of the former category's success, while the phenomenal triumph of exclusive Sandler movies on the streaming platform sums up the latter. 

It's not surprising, then, that Netflix will soon debut "Spaceman," a space-set drama starring Sandler as a very lonely astronaut. Based on the novel "Spaceman of Bohemia" by Jaroslav Kalfar, this movie is heavily anticipated for its setting, premise and star — and also because it's not the kind of thing that Sandler, known best as a broad comic actor, tends to make. Curious? Here's everything we know so far about "Spaceman."

In 2014, when streaming content starring well-established movie stars was still in its infancy, Adam Sandler signed a multi-million dollar deal to write, produce, and star in a number of Netflix films. In the years since, Sandler has generated big hits for the streaming giant, including "The Ridiculous Six," "Murder Mystery," "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah," and "Leo." It looks like he's going to continue this streak into the future, and "Spaceman" is poised to be his next big step.

Production on the movie began in 2020; filming took up about three months in summer 2021. Seeing as the film is set in space and features an odd, spider-like alien who requires major special effects to come to life, post-production on "Spaceman" was a time-consuming endeavor. But, in December 2023, Netflix announced that "Spaceman" finally had a solid release date. It will debut on the streamer across multiple global markets on March 1, 2024.

"Spaceman" pulls its tale from "Spaceman of Bohemia," a novel by Jaroslav Kalfar. It tells the story of Jakub, the Czech Republic's inaugural astronaut. When offered the chance to touch the edge of the solar system on a solo mission, ambitious Jakub accepts. But this requires him to say goodbye to his wife, Lenka. Moreover, after blasting off, he starts to develop mental health issues from the loneliness, detachment, and sheer strangeness of deep space. Jakub comes to regret leaving and begins to wonder if his marriage will be able to survive his absence.

Fortunately, Jakub gets some company in the form of Hanus, an alien he discovers has hitched a ride on his ship. Hanus, a kind of extraterrestrial spider-monster and possibly a creation of Jakub's imagination, claims to be as old as time itself. Thus, he's able to engage in deep conversations with the astronaut and serve as not just a friend, but something of a marriage counselor, too.

Adam Sandler stars as the titular spaceman in "Spaceman." More specifically, he portrays Jakub Prochazka, the first astronaut from the Czech Republic sent on a one-man space expedition. It's one of Sandler's rare non-comedic performances, and one of his most low-key and unflinchingly dramatic. "I really wanted to have a performance from him that had nothing to do with the Adam Sandler we all know," "Spaceman" director Johan Renck told Netflix's Tudum.

Sandler's primary co-star is Hanus, a baffling extraterrestrial being who becomes his deep space companion and confidante. Giving voice to the character (whose full appearance is yet to be revealed) is Paul Dano, best known for his work in haunting, introspective works like "Swiss Army Man" and "Love and Mercy." Of Dano, Renck said, "He has this peculiar cadence when he's speaking, his careful formulation of words, and his very unique voice." Jakub leaves his pregnant wife, Lenka, back home on Earth. She'll be portrayed by Carey Mulligan, the Academy Award-nominated star of "An Education," "Promising Young Woman," and "Maestro."

Rounding out the cast of characters is Peter, a space program technician, and Commissioner Tuma, Jakub's direct superior and commanding officer. They're set to be portrayed by Kunal Nayyar, best known for his 12-season stint as Raj on "The Big Bang Theory," and "Blue Velvet" and "Julia" star Isabella Rossellini, respectively.

"Spaceman" is a film adaptation of "Spaceman of Bohemia," a pensive science fiction novel by Czech-American author Jaroslav Kalfar. "'Spaceman' began as a short story that I wrote in my last year of college," Kalfar told Netflix's Tudum. "Originally, it was just a punch line about an American astronaut who was stranded in orbit when he received a call from his wife asking for a divorce." It eventually became a full novel, and now, it's a movie. Filmmaker Colby Day, writer and director of independent shorts including "Perks," "Lead/Follow," and "Happy Vacation," adapted "Spaceman of Bohemia" for the screen. We don't yet know what kind of changes he's made, but his filmography is encouraging. Day is clearly comfortable in a wide variety of genres — he's made everything from ghost stories ("Happy Vacation") to dance-based romances ("Lead/Follow"). The emotional sci-fi of "Spaceman" is right up his alley.

In the director's chair is Johan Renck, a prolific commercial, music video, and episodic television helmer. He notably directed three installments of "Breaking Bad" and every episode of HBO's celebrated 2019 historical limited series "Chernobyl," which won him a Primetime Emmy Award.

While not a substantive trailer or even a proper teaser, Netflix released an "Official First Look" at "Spaceman" on December 19, 2023. Clocking in at around 20 seconds, the clip doesn't reveal much in the way of plot or character, but it does provide a sense of the tone viewers can probably expect to get out of the full-length "Spaceman."

As Adam Sandler's astronaut character, dressed in a full spacesuit, wades through a river in a deeply forested area, the mysterious voice of Paul Dano (in character as the creature Hanus), slides in, over the sounds of nature. "Just like you I fled my planet, through galaxies, through black holes, through time, and then I found ... you," he teasingly narrates. The footage cuts to a close-up of the astronaut, the woods reflected in his helmet, before the scene turns black and the word "Spaceman" pops up on the screen.